Smartphone Definition

Sync smartphones with your computer.

A Smartphone is a cell phone with data access and a standardized operating system. Many combine features like text messaging, Internet access and multimedia capability with standard telephone service.

Changing Definition

In the early 2000s, the term "smartphone" was used to refer to any phone with PC-like capabilities, such as email and Web browsing. Now the term refers to phones with standardized, fully functioning operating systems designed for use on a variety of devices. Many allow the download of applications to increase the phone's functionality.

Feature Phones

Many cell phones that are not smartphones are called "feature phones." Feature phones may have capabilities like email access and video messaging, but they are not considered smartphones because they lack a PC-like operating system.

Smartphone Use

According to Nielson Research, 50 percent of cell phone users are expectedto be using smartphones by the third quarter of 2011.

References

• Montgomery College: IT Standard: Personal Smartphone College E-mail Access
• University of Colorado at Boulder: Digital Media Test Kitchen: Market Overview 2010: The State of the Smartphone Revolution